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Conversation 302-031

TapeTape 302StartMonday, November 1, 1971 at 2:47 PMEndMonday, November 1, 1971 at 2:49 PMTape start time02:46:55Tape end time02:49:44ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinated a media strategy regarding the public relations management of international affairs, specifically involving Mexico and Haiti. The discussion centered on staging photo opportunities and controlling the administration's messaging narrative to ensure foreign agents or observers are not perceived as dominating the situation. Nixon emphasized the importance of projecting success and directed Ziegler to manage press inquiries by emphasizing that specific international movements are not occurring.

Public RelationsPress StrategyForeign PolicyMedia ManagementMessaging
AudioNARA Description

On November 1, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:47 pm to 2:49 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 302-031 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 302-31

Date: November 1, 1971
Time: 2:47 pm - 2:49 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See Conversation No. 13-56]
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Yeah.
Hi, Ron.
After I finish with Claire today, about 4 o'clock, I think we'll work it out, probably, so you can come over and do a little shout-out and come on the defense.
That's Mexico and Haiti.
And then we'll try to...
Now, for the picture, I'm going to need the EOB.
I'll give you a ring when we finish.
And you can have them step out, and they can take away your picture, and you can walk them down the steps.
I'll have them give you a different kind of shot than if you're sitting in a building on the spot.
I'll have you get along with your boys.
You'll be all right today.
All right.
I'm going to have Larry in particular, in particular, but it's very important to us that the idea that the whole cage is successful, that just an American could drive, and a foreign agent, and that the whole people must not be moving to that line, that there are only others on this island.
Good.
Well, that's sort of the theme that's beginning to come out of it.
You watch this turn around this week.
They can't stay in that place.
They'll squeal on it.
They have to have something to come up and down about it.
Are you going to announce this next thing before it comes through?
Good.
Fine.
All right.
I'm told when they ask, they're going to be in the other countries and say, well, not this time, this time.
OK. Bye.
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